Individual Groups and/or Squadron made exceptions on some missions
and some crews used additional Waist Gunners.

COMBAT OPERATIONAL TOUR REQUIREMENTS

Date

Bomber Crewmen (1)

Fighter Crewmen (2)

Photo Recon (2)

Weather Recon (2)

Prior to 01 Apr 1944

25 Missions

01 Apr to 06 Jun 1944

30 Missions (A)

200 hours

After 06 Jun 1944

35 Missions (B)

300 hours

200 hours

500 hours

Credited Combat Missions

Operational Combat Hours

For those who had completed 15 missions, a sliding scale applied for the five additional missions. The nearer to 25, the fewer extra missions were required.

Lead and Deputy Lead Crewman were given a reduction in the number of required missions depending on the number of Lead and Deputy Lead missions flown, subject to a minimum of 30 missions.

Number of Leads

Number of Deputy Leads

Mission Reduction

Required Missions

2

4

none

35

3

6

1

34

4

8

2

33

5

10

3

32

6

12

4

31

7

14

5

30

A combination of Lead and Deputy Lead Missions were given pro rata credit by converting Deputy Leads to Leads on the basis of 2 to 1. An odd number of Deputy Lead Missions was reduced to the even number below it.